"What shall I do? what can I do?" he cried.
"Come," said the duchess, "let us talk sense."
"Talk sense!" said the count; "how can I? I am half crazy."
"Evidently not with joy," said the duchess.
"No, with terror, madame."
"Oh! you exaggerate the situation."
"But, madame, you are entering the lion's den. I have the prefect of Vienne and the mayor of Châtellerault at my table."
"Very good; then you will present them to me."
"Good God! and under what title?"
"That of a cousin. You surely have some distant cousin, whose name will answer the purpose."